FAR 52.247-58—Loading, Blocking, and Bracing of Freight Car Shipments.
Plain-English Summary
FAR 52.247-58 addresses how freight car shipments must be prepared when supplies may move in rail carload lots. It covers four main topics: the contractor’s duty to load, block, and brace shipments using Association of American Railroads (AAR) standards; what to do when no AAR standard exists for a particular shipment; the contractor’s liability for damage caused by improper loading, blocking, or bracing; and where to obtain the relevant AAR pamphlet. In practice, the clause shifts responsibility for safe rail-car preparation to the contractor once shipping instructions are received, so the contractor must use current industry standards and not improvise. The clause is intended to prevent in-transit damage, protect the government’s property, and reduce disputes over whether damage resulted from poor packing or transportation conditions. It also gives the government a clear contractual basis to recover losses when the contractor fails to meet acceptable loading standards. For contracting officers, the clause is a risk-allocation tool used when rail shipment in carload lots is possible; for contractors, it is a compliance requirement that can directly affect cost exposure and claims.
Key Rules
Use AAR standards
When shipping instructions are received, the contractor must load, block, and brace rail car shipments in accordance with the standards published by the Association of American Railroads that are in effect at the time of shipment. The applicable standard is the current one, not an outdated version.
Fallback when no standard exists
If the AAR has not published a standard for a particular shipment, the contractor must use standards established by the shipper, but only if those standards are evidenced by written acceptance from an authorized representative of the carrier. This creates a documented alternative method when no industry standard is available.
Contractor liability for damage
The contractor is liable for payment of any damage to supplies caused by failure to load, block, and brace in accordance with acceptable standards. The clause ties liability specifically to noncompliance with the required loading standards.
Shipping instructions trigger duty
The obligation applies upon receipt of shipping instructions provided in the contract. The contractor should not assume rail shipment procedures in advance, but must follow the instructions and then prepare the shipment accordingly.
AAR pamphlet availability
The clause notes that the appropriate AAR pamphlet may be obtained from the Association of American Railroads. This is a practical reference source for the standards the contractor must follow.
Responsibilities
Contracting Officer
Include the clause when supplies may be shipped in carload lots by rail, and ensure the contract’s shipping instructions and risk allocation are clear. The contracting officer should also recognize that the clause is intended to protect the government from damage caused by improper rail loading.
Contractor
Load, block, and brace rail shipments according to current AAR standards when available, or use shipper-established standards with written carrier acceptance when no AAR standard exists. The contractor must also pay for damage caused by failure to comply with acceptable standards.
Shipper
When no AAR standard exists, establish loading, blocking, and bracing standards for the shipment and obtain written acceptance from an authorized carrier representative. The shipper’s standards become the fallback method only if properly documented.
Carrier
Provide written acceptance of shipper-established standards when no AAR standard is available, through an authorized representative. The carrier’s acceptance is what makes the alternative standard contractually acceptable.
Agency/Government
Specify shipping instructions as needed and rely on the clause to allocate responsibility for damage caused by improper rail preparation. The agency should also ensure the clause is used only when rail carload shipment is a realistic possibility.
Practical Implications
Contractors must verify the current AAR standard before loading; using an outdated pamphlet or informal practice can create liability for damage.
If no AAR standard exists, the fallback is not automatic — the contractor needs written carrier acceptance of the shipper’s standard, or the shipment may be noncompliant.
Damage claims may turn on whether the loss was caused by improper loading, blocking, or bracing, so documentation of compliance is important.
Contracting officers should make sure shipping instructions are clear and that the clause is included only when rail carload shipments may occur.
This clause is especially important for fragile, heavy, or irregularly shaped supplies, where improper securing in a rail car can lead to significant transit damage.
Official Regulatory Text
As prescribed in 47.305-15 (a)(2) , insert the following clause in solicitations and contracts when supplies may be shipped in carload lots by rail: Loading, Blocking, and Bracing of Freight Car Shipments (Apr 1984) (a) Upon receipt of shipping instructions, as provided in this contract, the supplies to be included in any carload shipment by rail shall be loaded, blocked, and braced by the Contractor in accordance with the standards published by the Association of American Railroads and effective at the time of shipment. (b) Shipments, for which the Association of American Railroads has published no such standards, shall be loaded, blocked, and braced in accordance with standards established by the shipper as evidenced by written acceptance of an authorized representative of the carrier. (c) The Contractor shall be liable for payment of any damage to any supplies caused by the failure to load, block, and brace in accordance with acceptable standards set forth herein. (d) A copy of the appropriate pamphlet of the Association of American Railroads may be obtained from that Association. (End of clause)